RAID Array Recovery on NAS QNAP TVS-1282T: What to Do When It Breaks and How to Recover Your Data

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like QNAP also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Are there any recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster. Here are some key practices:

1. Regular backups: Perform regular backups of your data to ensure you have the most up-to-date information stored off-site. The frequency of backups depends on the criticality of your data and how frequently it changes.
2. Multiple backup locations: Store your backups in multiple off-site locations to reduce the risk of losing all your data in case one location is affected by a disaster. This could include using different physical locations or cloud-based backup services.
3. Encryption: Encrypt your backup data to ensure its security during transmission and storage. This prevents unauthorized access to your sensitive information.
4. Testing and verification: Regularly test your backup and restore processes to ensure they are working effectively. Verify the integrity of your backups by periodically restoring data from them to confirm its accuracy.
5. Redundancy: Implement redundant backup systems to minimize the risk of failure. This could involve using multiple backup servers, redundant storage devices, or redundant network connections.
6. Automation: Automate your backup processes to reduce the chance of human error and ensure backups are performed consistently and reliably.
7. Versioning and retention: Use backup solutions that support versioning and retention policies. This allows you to restore previous versions of files and retain backups for a specified duration, which can be crucial in case of data corruption or accidental deletions.
8. Physical security: If using physical off-site storage, ensure the facility has appropriate security measures in place, such as restricted access, surveillance systems, and environmental controls to protect against theft, damage, or environmental factors.
9. Disaster recovery plan: Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps to be taken in case of a disaster. This plan should include the process of recovering data from off-site backups and restoring it to the primary systems.
10. Regular review and updates: Regularly review and update your backup strategy to accommodate changes in your infrastructure, data volume, and business requirements. Keep up with advancements in backup technologies and adjust your practices accordingly.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of complete data loss and ensure business continuity in the face of a disaster.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TVS-1282T can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

   WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TVS-1282T. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

TVS-1282T has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• ZFS;
• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• exFAT;
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Read Only);

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Loss resulting from bad sectors;
• User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

   

4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The QNAP TVS-1282T network-attached storage keeps QTS (QuTS hero) operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery